Florida baseball falls short of sweep against Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers were able to avoid the series sweep against Florida baseball taking a 4-2 victory Sunday afternoon at McKethan Stadium. Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan lost his first game against Tennessee in Gainesville (8-1). The Gators fall to 25-20 overall and 12-9 in SEC play. The Volunteers improve their record to 18-24 and 6-15 in the conference.

Florida lefty Bobby Poyner started his first SEC game on Sunday against the Vols. Poyner went 5.1 innings, allowing four hits, three runs, while striking out one on 79 pitches. O’Sullivan thought Poyner competed well.

The Gators jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Tennessee starter Zach Godley. Second baseman Casey Turgeon singled with one out, and he came around to score thanks to a two-out triple by outfielder Justin Shafer. After a walk, first baseman Vickash Ramjit beat out an infield single to drive in Shafer. However, those were the only runs UF would score as Godley got the win with a complete game effort.

Tennessee was able to answer when catcher Ethan Bennett homered to left-field and cut Florida’s lead to 2-1. The Vols were able to strike for two runs in the sixth inning and take a 3-2 lead, which was their first lead of the series. Tennessee added another run with two outs in the seventh to open a 4-2 lead.

Florida finished the month of April with a 7-1 record at McKethan Stadium. Prior to Sunday’s loss, the team had not lost at home since a 4-3 defeat to Ole Miss on March 29. O’Sullivan is pleased with what he’s seen from his team of late.

The Gators will be back in action on Thursday night. They’ll collide with the LSU Tigers to open a three-game series in Baton Rouge. Poyner said that his team is looking forward to the challenge.

You can catch all of the action beginning at 7:25 p.m. on Country 103.7 The Gator.